At Easterseals Camp, Summer Fun is for Everyone!

In July, 125 campers circled the campfire once again at the 53^rd annual Easterseals Camp, a fully accessible summer camp hosted by Easterseals SoCal (ESSC) in the San Bernardino Mountains in Big Bear.

Regardless of age (14+) or disability, it’s a unique chance for people with disabilities—with the support of about 140 volunteers and ESSC staff members—to fully experience the traditional joys of summer camp that many of us take for granted. 

The campers—many of whom have been attending for years—enjoyed the opportunity to swim, canoe, zipline, tube slide, do archery, put on talent shows, attend concerts, make crafts, play games and go boating and on hayrides—ending the week with the much-anticipated, formal dinner-dance!

Leslie (“Les”), who utilizes a wheelchair and adaptive communications and has attended camp for three years, said, “Camp is a very special place for me. Nobody treats me like I have a disability. 

“I have made a lot of friends at camp and I consider them part of my family,” she says. “The activities are super fun and I love going fast. I’m a dare devil.” 

The Life-Changing Magic of Easterseals Camp Oakes

While toasting marshmallows, making friendship bracelets and seeking thrills is great fun, Easterseals Camp Oakes is more than just a summer camp—it's a life-changing experience that reminds every camper they can do more than they ever imagined.

“Camp has definitely changed my life,” said Danny, who utilizes a wheelchair and has been attending camp for 24 years and works at ESSC as a Life Skills Coach in Adult Day Services in Riverside. “I was in car accident when I was 16. After spending about a year in the hospital, my family heard about Easterseals Camp. 

“I came here not expecting to have a good time but had the greatest week I could imagine,” he recalls. “I started volunteering for Easterseals during college and when I graduated, I became an employee and have been working there for 25 years now!”

Mario, who also utilizes a wheelchair, met Danny as a young camper in 1992 and they’ve been friends ever since, discovering they lived close to one another back home. “For the one week you’re at camp, if you want to do something, they’ll help you achieve it. So your disability really disappears.”

When Giving Back Gives Back

But the week-long stay isn't just life-changing for the campers. For counselors like Savannah Donahoe—who has volunteered for 14 years—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of the year, thanks to the connections they make and the chance to help create experiences that might not otherwise be possible.

“The campers keep me coming back,” Donahoe said. “The relationships I’ve developed with them extend beyond camp and they’re true friendships.”

CVS Brings the Glam 

CVS Pharmacy has partnered with Easterseals SoCal for more than 14 years on various initiatives and fundraising campaigns and this year is hosting a summer-long, in-store campaign to support Easterseals  Camp.

And, each year since 2017, CVS Beauty has brought a bus load of Beauty Advisors to camp on the day of the formal dinner-dance—a much-anticipated, highlight that ends the week’s festivities—to do hair and make-up and help campers glam up for the big night!

Jamie (“JP”), a camper who was excited to get a makeover, was sporting a blonde wig and a sparkling tiara, which had also served double-duty during the previous night’s talent show and her appearance as Cinderella. “It means that I get to feel special,” she said.

More Than a Makeover

As a summer rain fell, Cassandra Melendez Lisboa, a CVS Beauty Advisor who has been to Easterseals Camp to assist with Spa Day four times, was sitting under a tent with Kelsey, a camper with whom she’s formed a special bond.

“I have fun with you and always look forward to you doing my make up,” Kelsey told her, taking her hand. “I have fun with you too,” smiled Lisboa.

“We have such a great bond,” Lisboa continued. “Outside of my work at CVS, I’m also a performer and Kelsey came to see me! She surprised me.  It was amazing!  I never break character, but I did that day. She’s a VIP and I had to stop to say, ‘Hi.’

“This is an important day for me. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. This is something I don’t need a paycheck to do. I come here because it fills my heart. I have to go to Easterseals Camp. I’ll take a day off, I’ll do whatever I have to do. If I don’t get to go, I cry.”

Learn more about how you can support Easterseals Camp Oakes with CVS Pharmacy all summer long.